Edwar Calderon

Edwar Calderon is a Lecturer at the Sustainable Built Environment department within the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen's University Belfast. His research focuses on urban-rural development, spatial justice, and sociospatial transformations in conflict-affected regions, particularly Colombia. He leads interdisciplinary projects combining quantitative and qualitative methods to address housing policies for displaced populations and advocates for policy reforms, such as revising Law 1448/2011. His work includes designing participatory workshops fostering peace agreements in marginalized areas and using art/music-based methods with vulnerable youth, highlighted in media like The Guardian. Currently, he collaborates on the Future Island-Island project (2024), exploring narrative design and landscape innovation. His research bridges urban planning, education, and conflict resolution.

Key projects include leading a Medellín-based study on displacement-resettlement, advising Colombia's Antioquia region on housing solutions, and postdoctoral work at the University of Edinburgh addressing spatial inequalities in the Colombian Pacific. Media engagement includes features on peacebuilding through music and art. Calderón emphasizes pedagogical innovation in heritage conservation and marginalized urban contexts, advocating for equitable urban policies and participatory methodologies.